The Yellow Balloon vs SmartStyle Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Yellow Balloon vs SmartStyle including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
The Yellow Balloon Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Investment $55,000 - $103,500$149,430 - $305,200
Franchise Fee $25,000$39,500
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19831996
Year Franchised 20002016
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee $2.5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
The Yellow Balloon Franchise
SmartStyle Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 5 hours Classroom Training: 25 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    The Yellow Balloon Franchise
    SmartStyle Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About The Yellow Balloon

    Nadia Pidgeon opened her first The Yellow Balloon children's hair salon in 1976 near UCLA and a second location five years later near Universal Studios, serving the children of celebrities, like Warren Beatty, and child stars, like the Olsen Twins. The company began franchising in 2000.
    Each The Yellow Balloon salon caters to kids, featuring mini-arcades and toy boxes, and offering young customers balloons, cookies and popcorn. To commemorate a baby's first haircut, parents are given a framed photo, certificate and lock of hair. Adults can also have their hair cut at The Yellow Balloon.

    About SmartStyle

    With convenient locations in Walmart stores across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, SmartStyle is a full-service hair salon that provides the hairstyle you want at an affordable price, all in a welcoming and relaxing environment.  SmartStyle is proud to be part of Regis Corporation, the world's largest and leading hair salon company.


    "Entrepreneur
    #325 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #130 in Franchise 500 for 2021.